Psychometric properties of attitudes towards research scale in Peruvian university students

Attitudes towards research play an important role in the development of critical thinking and in the research training of students. Therefore, the psychometric properties of attitudes towards research scale were evaluated. An instrumental design was used, with the participation of 2448 students from five public and private universities in Peru, selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. For the analysis, the sample was randomly divided into two subgroups, applying exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in the first, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in the second. The original three-factor model did not show an adequate fit to the data, and a new structure composed of four factors emerged: valuation and disposition towards research, interest and participation in research, demotivation towards research and devaluation of research. The revised model presented an adequate fit (χ2(269) = 1526.77; CFI = .954; TLI = .949; RMSEA = .044; SRMR = .037). Likewise, the scale presented an Omega of .80 (95% CI: .79-.81) demonstrating good reliability. Therefore, the new factor organization evidence adequate structural validity and reliability, supporting its usefulness to measure attitudes towards research in university environments. Its use in future research with different populations and academic contexts is suggested.